A Boat Load

Bare Skin

Tickling Vanessa is something I, as a dad, take very seriously, and Vanessa knows it.  Whenever I go in for a tickle that might be considered torture, I always cue it with "I see bare skin."  Check out Vanessa's reaction right after I let her know she was due for some torture. 

No Standing

Lisa and I went to New York City for a check up for our little Vanessa.  While we were there we received some New York hospitality-a parking ticket.  Not to mention the fact that the ticket is for 115 big ones.   What happened to the $20 parking ticket?  Lisa and I parked in a "no standing" zone.  We thought that a no standing zone was a loitering sign for a couple reason.  For one, there was a vehicle from new york already parked in the no standing zone.  There also was clearly way more people than cars in the area which lead us to believe that the sign was for the foot traffic.  There was also a "no parking" sign right next to the "no standing" sign pointing in the opposite direction of the no standing zone which further led us into the decision that it was a-ok to park there. 

Some people are with me when I tell them the story and some people are very surprised that I did not know the meaning of the sign.  I think there are only 4 states that I have not driven in and this is the first time that I have dealt with this sign.  Next time we will just use the parking garage.   Live and learn I guess. 

Over Zealous Dad

Vanessa is a girl who lives for a thrill. Her ability to climb, tunnel, bounce, explore, and discover is met with very little fear. Faster, and higher is always received by a very big smile and laugh. I'm told that the princes, fairy tales, and barbie dolls are to come. I'm doubtful because Vanessa has yet to have a favorite stuffed animal or blanket. She would much rather be dancing on the kitchen table than consoling her favorite doll.






So me being a dad I obviously want to make my little Vanessa happy. Faster and Higher! That's what makes Vanessa happy. On this particular snowy winter day I was captured by the giggles and laughs and I threw caution to the wind. Poor little Vanessa, strapped in her sled, found her self upside down and in the cold snow. She took a digger, all because of her dad. Vanessa's laughter quickly changed to crying, and the cool hip dad who could throw one heck of sledding party was instantly down graded to "what where you thinking."






Thank goodness little girls forgive and forget. I have climbed back up a few notches and things are all cool now. I just have to remember that super fast is not necessary, fast will do!

The Rumors are True.

So the rumors are true.  We are going to be having a baby!  Check out this little video of us when we first found out Lisa is pregnant.  We found out early in the morning so you get to see our bed head and Lisa's miss matched socks!


  
The two photos below kind of sum it up for us.  We love little kids.  Who wouldn't want another cute baby like little Vanessa.  We are so excited to bring another little baby into this world. 

I kind of think it's funny to see Lisa's expression in the photos below.  She  has the same look of fear in all the photos.  We have proved to ourselves that we can handle one baby, but two?  We have come to the realization that we are going to be moving into a different family category.  We are going to be going from the cute little family to the chaotic family that's trying to hold it all together.  I say bring it on.  We are so excited! 

Vanessa doesn't understand what's going on but she sure can sense the excitement. 



Poor little Vanessa has no idea what's coming her way!

"I Love You"

"I love you!"

Those are the first words I heard on my birthday today.  And they have been echoing in my head all day.  Is turning thirty weird? I can not lie, it does feel a little weird.  It really does not bother me that much though.  It makes me reflect and realize that I have got it so darn good.  We all hope to grow old. I have become one year closer to my goal - making it to my 100th birthday.  Being one year older is a blessing.  We can't stop the clock, we just have to enjoy the ride.  

There are some really cleaver marketing tools out there.  Not to mention the amount of adds that are forced down our throats every day.  A lot of you are probably reading this post in facebook.  Just glance over to the right a little and you will see adds.  They are EVERYWHERE.  The adds really skew our thinking.  There is a huge push to stay young and beautiful and that life is fulfilled through stuff.  Yeah, it's fun having a cool new toy or some nice clothes - but in the end it's all junk.  The clothes are going to rip and wear out and the techy toy is going to be obsolete or break in about two weeks.  We will be able to buy it all at next year's yard sale for 25 cents. 

I really feel like the most important things in life are being loved and being able to love our family and friends.







I nearly drown several years ago while surfing. It's through that experience I realized I had love and needed to marry, my now beautiful wife, Lisa.  During the experience I did not think about my cool little Ipod in my car or my sweatshirt that had the word "Abercrombie" across the front.  It was Lisa I thought off.  I could not stop thinking of her as I fought for my life.  I fought till I had absolutely no more strength and I realized I wasn't going to make back to shore. As I threw up my arms in defeat I cried out to my savior, Jesus Christ.  It was at that exact moment that my big toe just ever so slightly touched the ground.  It changed me forever.  Thinking of it now still brings a tear to my eye.  We always think we have more time.  It may not be the case.  So as cheesy as it sounds, love and be loved.





So now that I'm thirty I may not be able to hang out with all of you super cool twenty somethings but I have got the cutest little daughter that thinks I'm amazing.  I have a beautiful wife, that I can love, that I know loves me.  I have family that I see almost on a daily basis.  And to top it all off, I have some great friends that are like family.  I honestly feel like I'm living life to it's fullest potential.  I'm so glad that I'm thirty!

Blake and Steve are Gettin' Married

Steve and Blake have an energy that is hard to ignore. Their zest for life is contagious. If you are lucky enough to meet them, you will feel like you have been best friends for years. It's no surprise, with their love for people, that Steve is a head chef of a big restaurant and Blake is a beautician extraordinaire. What also comes as no surprise, is that these guys are made for each other and are in love.